The Russian Emergencies Ministry EMERCOM, host of UN-SPIDER's Regional Support Office in the Russian Federation, is strengthening its collaboration with the International Civil Defence Organisation ICDO. Russian Minister of Emergency Situations, Vladimir Puchkov, met with Secretary-General of the International Civil Defense Organization (ICDO), Vladimir Kuvshinov, on 16 February in Geneva to sign a memorandum of understanding agreeing on wider cooperation.
The memorandum stresses “joint aspiration for helping improve mechanisms of coordination of humanitarian operations (projects) in disaster and post-crisis recovery areas for sustainable development”. “It has been decided today that we will run joint exercises of the Russian Emergencies Ministry and ICDO member states to practice cooperation and disaster response skills. This is a big step in development of civil defense both in Russia and the ICDO member states,” said Mr. Puchkov.
EMERCOM stated on their website: "From now on the Russian Emergencies Ministry and ICDO will jointly promote comprehensive approaches to disaster risk reduction, assist improvement of international cooperation between rescue services, and early warning and mitigation of disaster aftermath. Work will be continued to implement joint projects aimed at strengthening civil defense structures and first response forces of the ICDO member states. The parties will facilitate the fastest development of the ICDO International Information and Coordination Center with the purpose of cooperation in disaster management and provision of timely help to the affected people."
